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Sprint announces the Kyocera Echo: one screen doesn't cut it anymore

Sprint announces the Kyocera Echo: one screen doesn't cut it anymore

Posted: 07 Feb 2011, 17:22, by Ray S.

Categories: Sprint Sprint Android Android Bookmark

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Sprint announces the Kyocera Echo: one screen doesn't cut it anymore

At today's NYC event (check how our live coverage went on), Sprint kept its promise and unveiled an "industry first" device, namely, the Kyocera Echo - a dual-screen Android smartphone with two 3.5" touch displays, which actually allow for a healthy sized 4.7" real estate when combined. By the looks of, Sprint is positioning this peculiar device as something between a modern smartphone and a mini-tablet. And yes, we noticed that the branding says "Kyocera". Just ignore that and continue reading.

In closed mode, the Kyocera Echo is your typical Android 2.2 Froyo smartphone that can do normal stuff like browsing the web, dialing contacts and... anything, really. However, the Echo becomes way more interesting as you open it (it utilized a hinge mechanism that is said to leave almost no space between both parts) to reveal the second 3.5" LCD screen. The second display, identically to the first, has a resolution of 480x800 pixels.

Kyocera's second modern-day foray into the realm of smartphones (the other recent one was the Zio) is actually focusing on the high end, as it also comes equipped with a powerful 1GHz Snapdragon chipset and a 5MP camera. Unfortunately, it'll only sport 3G bands, no WiMAX compatibility, because Kyocera and Sprint wanted to get that launched as soon as possible, as well as keep the price decent.

You are probably wondering how the software is going to take advantage of this new dual-screen layout. Apparently, Kyocera has taken its time to rework most of the core apps of the Android 2.2 system, including the email client, picture gallery, video and YouTube players, etc. Unsurprisingly, the concept behind it is what we already find with tablets - on one side you have your inbox, for example, while on the other - the contents of the selected message. Only here we're going to have the inbox on one screen, and the content on the other! Thankfully, they will release special APIs for developers, which will allow them to design apps for the Kyocera Echo's unique dual-screen form-factor.

One of the most interesting features of the Kyocera Echo is its Simul-task mode, which is almost described as the next level of multitasking. What it does is to allow you to work with two apps at the same time. For example, you can be browsing the web, while composing an email or watching a video at the same time. Well, it might be useful in certain situations, though we don't see it becoming a widely-used feature. Even more so when the apps that will be able to simul-task are limited to the web browser, gallery, YouTube player, phone, contacts, email and messaging.

So, what battery life can we expect from this dual-screen device? Would it be twice as short? According to Sprint, it's going to be a standard performing device in this category, which sounds a bit optimistic. However, you might be interested to know that they are bundling it with an additional battery for free. He-he, wise man you are, Hesse.

Clearly, not everyone is too fond of Kyocera, but the Echo seems intriguing enough to spawn a small Echo-community. The handset is coming out this Spring, at a price of $199.99 on contract. Well, guys, in the final analysis, it wasn't a phone with glasses-free 3D that we saw today, but rather a phone with 2x2D displays (which are still glasses-free, by the way), but don't be blue, 3D is right around the corner now!

source: Sprint

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1. cornerofthemoon posted on 07 Feb 2011, 18:27 2 1

This phone will have more punchlines thrown at it than David Hasselhoff but I'm sure it will attract a very dedicated cult following.

10. KParks23 posted on 07 Feb 2011, 18:58 4 2

LOL last pic on the right looks like the guy is just walkin out like F this HAHAHA!!!

29. Napoleon posted on 07 Feb 2011, 21:33 1 2

Completely disappointed Sprint... Here's hoping that this isn't the only phone lined up for Q2...

36. Napoleon posted on 07 Feb 2011, 23:07 1 0

Moreover, here's hoping for the HTC EVO 2!!!

35. Lucas777 posted on 07 Feb 2011, 22:51 2 2

And then sprint wonders why they are number three... Wait wernt we supposed to see some super cool 3d lg phone? I mean who cares about this company... If it is not a well known phone maker then who cares... Cough cough dell cough zte...

51. jbash posted on 09 Feb 2011, 14:07 2 0

least the dell is an established computer company that deals with highend technology(alienware). Sanyo/Kyocera makes wonderful flip phones.

44. grillmaster423 posted on 08 Feb 2011, 12:02 1 1

Here's one, I've been waiting in line 5 minutes, now, who spiked the punch with battery acid, and why isn't my two screen phone working?

2. Dissappointment (unregistered) posted on 07 Feb 2011, 18:28 7 2

wow........this is probably......this totally blows. I would rather have seen a new blackberry announcement than this knock off nintendo ds.

12. TKFox007 posted on 07 Feb 2011, 19:32 2 2

Second

37. Droid_X_Doug posted on 07 Feb 2011, 23:09 3 1

Third. They could have given actual shipping dates for the BlackBerry Playbook and they would have had more of an impact. Two 3.5 inch screens....

I am starting to wonder if Sprint actually has a formal business plan to remain in third place.

3. twashington4 posted on 07 Feb 2011, 18:31 3 1

So, will any third party apps take advantage of this dual screen? No, you'll get one bright colorful 3.5" screen and a really dark one.

4. OhSo3D (unregistered) posted on 07 Feb 2011, 18:31 3 1

Wow... I really hope htc can salvage sprint with something at MWC.

5. Roberto (unregistered) posted on 07 Feb 2011, 18:35 5 1

That was a waste of David Blaine...

6. clevername posted on 07 Feb 2011, 18:41 5 1

I'm more interested in the David Blaine show. That seemed to be an awesome illusion.

7. cornerofthemoon posted on 07 Feb 2011, 18:43 1 1

The phone looks like it would be a blast to play with....providing the software amendments don't carry lots of bugs.

8. Syksyd posted on 07 Feb 2011, 18:56 5 1

LMAO!!.....This is what sprint thinks will bring them back from near death, please get a new crop of high end phones like VZW,ATT, and TMO......This phone is a joke, what a fail SPRINT............

11. KParks23 posted on 07 Feb 2011, 18:59 5 3

ppl will buy it to look cool.....and sprint is DEF not close to death haha

18. remixfa posted on 07 Feb 2011, 19:50 1 4

actually, they are a very poor company that has ran negative for years until very recently. close to death has been a way of life for them. They will survive... most likely.

42. KParks23 posted on 08 Feb 2011, 01:06 2 0

like i said we talkin about 2011 not 2008 and in 2011 there not near death thanks mostly to htc and the evo but yea they were in the dump a couple years ago

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9. Sprint=disappointment (unregistered) posted on 07 Feb 2011, 18:56 5 1

Wow. I am truly disappointed. So why was David Blaine brought to the sprint show? Bringing him caused me have greater hopes for what could be. Now I am full of.."that's it, that is all you've got." Hey Sprint, Thanks for tickling my sensitive spot all week and then walking out on me before I experienced joy. I like your network but despise your presentation.